Israeli investigation says army actions had ‘influence’ in Hamas killing of six hostages

An investigation by the Israeli military has found that the actions of its forces on the ground likely influenced the killing of six hostages in Gaza in August by Hamas.

The “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” he stated.

The investigation also found that the soldiers were not aware of the presence of the hostages when they began their operation in the Rafah area. The bodies of the hostages were later recovered.

The killings sparked anger in Israel, and hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets demanding that the government reach a ceasefire deal.

In late August, Israeli troops found the bodies in an underground well in the Tal al-Sultan area of ​​Rafah. The military said they were killed just before the soldiers reached them.

The investigation said Israel’s chief of staff “concluded that this was a painful and tragic event, with the extremely difficult outcome of the brutal murder of six hostages by Hamas.”

In a statement, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said the investigation demonstrated once again that the return of all those captured by Hamas during its deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel would only be possible through an agreement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has faced increasing pressure, with critics saying it has not done enough to secure the release of the hostages.

Israel responded to the Hamas attack by launching airstrikes and a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.

More than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed during the 14-month war between Israel and Hamas, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says. According to the UN, almost two million people (90% of the population) have been displaced.

The UN and aid agencies have called the humanitarian situation in the enclave “apocalyptic” and warned on several occasions that Gazans are “on the brink of famine,” accusing Israel of deliberately obstructing aid deliveries, something which Israel denies.

According to Israel, 251 Israelis and foreigners were captured in last year’s Hamas attack.

It is believed that 96 of them remain detained and the rest have been released, rescued or their remains recovered. Israel believes sixty-two are still alive. Four other hostages have been held since 2014 and 2015.

Indirect negotiations continue between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Netanyahu recently said there had been “some progress” but could not say when the talks would conclude. So far no progress has been made, despite Palestinian officials telling the BBC they were very close to reaching an agreement.